Big Ten Roundup: Huskers’ Offense Steamrolls FAU

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Published: Sunday, August 31, 2014 at 12:21 a.m.

Last Modified: Sunday, August 31, 2014 at 12:21 a.m.

LINCOLN, Neb. | Ameer Abdullah ran for a career-high 232 yards, Tommy Armstrong Jr. passed for a career-high 271 yards and two TDs, and No. 22 Nebraska defeated Florida Atlantic. The Cornhuskers rushed for 498 of their 784 total yards, the fifth-most in their program’s 125-year history. They won their 29th straight opener, the longest streak in the nation. Florida Atlantic, with first-year coach Charlie Partridge, was paid $1 million to visit Lincoln and will get another $1 million for playing at No. 2 Alabama next week.

Michigan 52, Appalachian St. 14

Wolverines Get Payback in Rout

ANN ARBOR, Mich. | Devin Gardner threw three touchdown passes to Devin Funchess in the first half and Michigan went on to rout Appalachian State in the season opener, seven years after being on the losing end of perhaps the biggest upset in college football history. The Wolverines coasted to victory after Gardner threw TD passes to Funchess on their first two drives, and connected with him for a third score late in the first half to give them a 21-0 lead.

California 31, Northwestern 24

Rally Falls Short

EVANSTON, Ill. | Jared Goff threw for 281 yards and three touchdowns, Jalen Jefferson had a key interception, and California hung on to beat Northwestern in the season-opener. The Golden Bears looked like they were on their way to an easy victory up 31-7 in the third quarter.

Purdue 43, W. Michigan 34

Purdue Ends Skid

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. | Danny Etling passed for two touchdowns and ran for another Saturday, helping Purdue snap a 12-game losing streak against FBS competition with a victory against Western Michigan.

<p>LINCOLN, Neb. | Ameer Abdullah ran for a career-high 232 yards, Tommy Armstrong Jr. passed for a career-high 271 yards and two TDs, and No. 22 Nebraska defeated Florida Atlantic. The Cornhuskers rushed for 498 of their 784 total yards, the fifth-most in their program's 125-year history. They won their 29th straight opener, the longest streak in the nation. Florida Atlantic, with first-year coach Charlie Partridge, was paid $1 million to visit Lincoln and will get another $1 million for playing at No. 2 Alabama next week.</p><p> </p><p>Michigan 52, Appalachian St. 14</p><p>Wolverines Get Payback in Rout</p><p>ANN ARBOR, Mich. | Devin Gardner threw three touchdown passes to Devin Funchess in the first half and Michigan went on to rout Appalachian State in the season opener, seven years after being on the losing end of perhaps the biggest upset in college football history. The Wolverines coasted to victory after Gardner threw TD passes to Funchess on their first two drives, and connected with him for a third score late in the first half to give them a 21-0 lead.</p><p> </p><p>California 31, Northwestern 24</p><p>Rally Falls Short</p><p>EVANSTON, Ill. | Jared Goff threw for 281 yards and three touchdowns, Jalen Jefferson had a key interception, and California hung on to beat Northwestern in the season-opener. The Golden Bears looked like they were on their way to an easy victory up 31-7 in the third quarter. </p><p> </p><p>Purdue 43, W. Michigan 34</p><p>Purdue Ends Skid</p><p>WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. | Danny Etling passed for two touchdowns and ran for another Saturday, helping Purdue snap a 12-game losing streak against FBS competition with a victory against Western Michigan.</p><p> </p><p>Iowa 31, N Iowa 23</p><p>Iowa Just Hangs On</p><p>IOWA CITY, Iowa | Jake Rudock threw for 250 yards and two touchdowns and Iowa hung on to beat Northern Iowa.</p><p> </p><p>Illinois 28, Youngstown St. 17</p><p>Illini Survive Scare</p><p>CHAMPAIGN, Ill. | It took a while but new quarterback Wes Lunt delivered a come-from-behind win for Illinois over Youngstown State in a season opener.</p>